Why @Tyrese4Real is For Real About Social Media

A while ago I got wind that actor/singer Tyrese Gibson had joined Twitter and was begging people to follow him. I knew this because Tyrese hijacked MC Hammer’s Twitter account and was telling people to follow him. I didn’t pay him any mind because although I like his music, and I think he is very easy on the eyes (I had a fangirl moment when I saw him in a restaurant back in 2004), people who beg for followers really annoy me. Begging for followers is usually a sign that the begger in question doesn’t understand Twitter.

Imagine my surprise when I discovered Tyrese ran the best Twitter contest I have seen in a long time:

He asked his followers to nominate single mothers for a Valentine’s Day date.

1100+ single mothers entered the contest, and he picked 14 of them to be treated to a day spa extravaganza in Beverly Hills.

Not only was the event well-planned, but he did due diligence by taping the event, and putting together a sizzle package on YouTube for everyone to see just how awesome he is.

Peep the video here:

I don’t really know what Tyrese was trying to “sell” here, if anything, but I think this was an awesome execution of a Twitter contest. I’ve been running a few Twitter contests for my clients lately and I’ve found that many contests out there lack creativity. Once they’re over, people forget about the work you’ve put out there running contests, especially if you were attempting to leave a positive (and lasting) brand impression. Sure, the winners have a great time (free prizes), but if the goal is to leave a lasting impression with your audience at large, Twitter contests are low on output. Not to mention–if you’ve ever run a Twitter contest you know there is a whole contingency of people whose sole purpose on Twitter is to enter contests, regardless of what brand you are representing, or what demographic you are trying to reach.

Anyway, Tyrese gets a social media gold star from me (as if he knew that existed, or needed one, ha!). Even though I had no idea he was running this contest, I was able to get some warm fuzzies from this video, I am now more likely to follow him, and I’m likely check out that spa in Beverly Hills (I love spas). Tyrese is now back into my social media good graces. Nice job Tyrese!